EFCC hands over 753-unit housing estate ‘recovered from Emefiele’ to FG

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has confirmed receipt of 753 housing units in an Abuja estate formerly linked to ex-Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

NAIJAONPOINT had earlier reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seized the estate, which was associated with the embattled former apex bank chief.

On Tuesday, EFCC Chairman Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede formally handed over the property to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, during a ceremony in Abuja.

“It is important for us to demonstrate to Nigerians that whatever proceeds of crime that we have recovered in the course of our work, the application of that will be made transparent to Nigerians so that we will not allow looted assets to be looted again,” said Olukoyede.

The EFCC chairman described the handover as a testament to the government’s anti-corruption drive under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He noted that the EFCC began investigating the estate in 2024, which led to its civil forfeiture on the grounds that it was not legitimately acquired. The estate spans 150,462.86 square meters and is located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja. It contains several hundred residential units.

Olukoyede added that the EFCC would continue to oversee the project’s progress and ensure regular updates are provided to the President.

Minister Dangiwa lauded the EFCC’s efforts, calling the handover a major milestone in putting recovered public assets to productive use.

“This marks a significant milestone in our collective determination to ensure that recovered assets are put to productive use in ways that directly benefit the Nigerian people. The housing estate recovered from the former governor of the central bank is a case in point,” he stated.

Following the handover, the Ministry will conduct a joint inspection of the estate with the EFCC. Dangiwa said the government would perform comprehensive structural and integrity assessments of all buildings to determine their safety and readiness for habitation.

“We intend to carry out thorough integrity and structural assessments on all buildings and associated infrastructure to confirm their safety and suitability for habitation,” the minister added.